I went to Shanghai in the summer for a business trip. I booked a 4-day, 3-night stay at the Peninsula Shanghai simply because it was right in front of The Bund where historically designed buildings lined up the street. It was also the first hotel to be built in the area after a few decades.
The Architecture
My first impression of The Peninsula’s facade was that it was bland. Its walls were a brown-gray color and its windows took a shade of green because of the curtains. It looked serious to me save for the green awnings near the entrance. However, it looked very big. It towered among trees and the nearby buildings and I could say that its architecture was meant to be at The Bund.
It also had its own driveway that doubled as a courtyard. Right in front of the hotel’s entrance were small fountains that gave life to the hotel.
The Interiors
When I entered the lobby, I found myself in a high-ceilinged room where a restaurant was right in the middle. There were barely any walls. Instead, there were giant columns made of marble. Since I went there for the summer, the marble was a welcoming sight.
If I could describe The Peninsula in one word, it would be “Paris”. Although I was in Shanghai, The Peninsula brought me to a time when Paris was full of architecture like this. There were cream and beige colored walls, carpets, and marble posts. This theme was consistent everywhere, but what made it unique to The Peninsula Shanghai was that it retained features of Shanghai – there were ivory and celadon green ornaments everywhere.
The Amenities
Since I was taking a business trip, I did not roam around the hotel as much as I wanted. However, I made sure that I used their swimming pool every morning. The Peninsula’s pool is located at the third floor and it opens at 6 AM. It was convenient for me because it gave me enough time to relax without having a lot of people splashing around.
The pool is a vast marbled room. It’s indoors and it made me feel like I was in Beverly Hills. The ceiling had glass on it and you can see the sun’s rays pass through it. This room was my favorite among the other amenities because the water was heated to the right temperature, there was a fireplace at the end of the room and a terrace where you can eat a healthy meal overlooking the British Consulate.
The Staff
Last but definitely the best of my experience was the staff. Upon arrival at the airport, The Peninsula already had a ride for me going to the hotel. When I arrived, they had people carry my luggage straight to the room without stopping at the reception. It was a great relief for me because, with the people in the restaurant, I wouldn’t want to hear the chatter of the whole room when I arrived.
The staff was warm and welcoming and they made my whole stay feel very hassle-free. Since it was my first time in Shanghai, they helped me navigate through the city, emphasizing how beautiful The Bund is which was a few steps from the hotel.
